Competing Objectives? .. Or Just a New Paradigm

Sunday, July 11 - 6:05 am

Counter Insurgency vs. Sustainable Health Outcomes

is this the way to think about our goals here? Or are the provisional reconstruction teams who have so much money, who work fast and are looking for immediate results offering something valuable to the effort at getting a sustainable health system.

The Afghanistan health picture is a challenge. It is a wicked problem with more than one cause and more than one solution. Not only is there a rift between Afghan tribes, but the donor community is divisive. The Military community is divisive and everyone agrees there is a need to coordinate efforts - but they don't. Add to it the rogue charity groups who don't want to coordinate with anyone - who simply want to roll out their own plans ... and what does Afghanistan have?

If we can think creatively about what is good for Afghanistan - and who is good at what -- there is hope. Well, there is always hope. God knows the Afghans are the definition of hope.

But perhaps there is hope for a new paradigm - a way of working together. Today I am setting out to meet with other projects. other donors and other stake holders. Wish me luck.